Tejero chief complains vs CH's public toilet

CEBU, Philippines - Public toilets may be good, but if these are without septic tanks then that’s another story.

This is what Tejero Barangay Captain Jessielou Cadungog said in his complaint dated September 19 filed before the Cebu City Health Office.

Cadungog, in his complaint addressed to Dr. Stella Ygonia, city health officer, said that the presence of the communal toilet in their area is causing “great effect to the health conditions of my constituents.”

The toilet reportedly has no septic tank. It was constructed by the City Hall over the portion of an open canal along the newly constructed road connecting Barangays Carreta and Tejero. Wastes flow directly to the canal, said Cadungog, adding that the caretaker collects fees from users.

This facility was constructed after last year’s fire in Tejero.

After the fire, Mayor Michael Rama pushed for a reblocking project to give way for the construction of a road that connects Carreta and Tejero, and had an open drainage built, including the toilet.

“I have been questioning the move of the mayor on this project of his. It is not that we don’t support his projects but does the government has enough funds to finish the undertakings?” he asked.

“If none, then leave it as it is otherwise we will be creating a major problem that will greatly affect the people,” he added. Cadungog asked Ygonia that the project be investigated.

Dr. Fe Cabugao of the City Health Office said she already sent a team to verify Cadungog’s complaint.

“Kung tinuod man gani, gub-on jud na. Naa man tay requirements on where to construct our toilets. Like layo sa water source. Pero og way septic tank, siguro gyud nang gub-on,” Cabugao said. (We have requirements to meet and if it’s true it has no septic tank, then it has to be removed.)  (FREEMAN)